Blythe can kick-start career with Bradford Bulls (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Matty Blythe can kick-start career with Bradford Bulls
7:00am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Bulls
By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter
Versatile centre Matty Blythe has joined the Bulls on a season-long loan from Warrington
Matty Blythe yesterday joined the Bulls on a season-long loan and described them as the “perfect club” to reignite his career.
The versatile Warrington centre will spend the entire 2013 campaign at Odsal after finding first-team opportunities in Tony Smith’s star-studded squad limited.
Yet 23-year-old Blythe’s pedigree is not in doubt and his ability to play in the centres and back row should serve Bulls boss Francis Cummins well next term.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to it. I met with Franny a couple of weeks ago and he sold it to me straight away.
“I need to be playing every week because I’m not getting any younger. With the side we’ve got at Warrington, it was pretty hard to string a few games together.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of things next year at Bradford and hopefully starting regularly.”
Blythe was born in Manchester but moved to Warrington aged four and made his debut for the Wolves in 2007.
He has made just over 30 appearances and scored an impressive 12 tries but chances have been few and far between in recent seasons, particularly with the likes of Ryan Atkins, Stefan Ratchford, Trent Waterhouse and Ben Westwood at Smith’s disposal.
Smith subsequently advised Blythe to head out on loan for a year at Bradford under Cummins, who the Warrington coach worked with so successfully at Leeds.
Blythe, who is contracted to Warrington for another two years, explained: “Tony and I spoke about me coming out on loan for a year to get some regular game time.
“I was one hundred per cent happy about that. I think coming to Bradford is the perfect move for me at this time of my career to string some games together.
“The week after I spoke to Smithy I was having coffee with Franny and, like I said, he sold it to me straight away.”
Cummins is still waiting to discover if Adrian Purtell will be given the go-ahead to resume playing next season.
The Australian, who suffered a heart attack in the aftermath of the Magic Weekend encounter with Leeds in May, is expected to be given a definitive answer by medical specialists in December.
The addition of Blythe gives the Bulls options in the pack and centres, with the player himself saying: “I can obviously play in the forwards but I see centre as my best position and that’s where I’d like to establish myself.”
Cummins added: “Matty’s a handful and is a real player of the game – very physical with a great offload.
“I’ve spoken to Tony Smith and Willie Poching and they want him to play and get that experience as well.
“Ultimately, after his time here, he may well go back to Warrington and become a regular.
“If I can personally help Matty to do that then it would mean he’s done a great job at Bradford.
“I was struck by his enthusiasm and I’m sure he’ll be a great asset for us next season. He’ll be with us all year and then we’ll see what happens at the end of it.”
Comments(30)
Sheffieldbull
says...
7:48am Wed 10 Oct 12
Welcome to the Bulls Matty.
flashdonut
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7:53am Wed 10 Oct 12
Solomon Grundy
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7:54am Wed 10 Oct 12
Now all we need are 3 front rows, a stand off and a winger.
THEMANOFSTEEL
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7:57am Wed 10 Oct 12
smithy26
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8:06am Wed 10 Oct 12
Steam Pigs
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8:36am Wed 10 Oct 12
Prycey
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9:20am Wed 10 Oct 12
murphyslaw
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9:58am Wed 10 Oct 12
Capabull
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10:08am Wed 10 Oct 12
murphyslaw wrote:I agree, but the likes of Atkins and Bridge weren`t good enough to play regularly for us, but given the chance at another club where they could play regularly they blossomed.
He's the type of player we can expect to be signing over the next few seasons, a good signing in the light of things, not good enough to play regularly at Wolves .
theviking62
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10:27am Wed 10 Oct 12
Prycey
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10:36am Wed 10 Oct 12
VJ Man
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11:11am Wed 10 Oct 12
Prycey wrote:I don't agree with these short term loan deals.
VJ Man - What do you mean - Who?. Not a bad signing and agree about him at centre and Purtill on the wing. Warrington and other top clubs have many really good players that can't get a game at the moment. We are not in a position to sign top internationals so this makes a lot of sense. Franny may be new to this but he clearly has made good contacts over his seven year apprenticeship. A few more like this please Franny!
We have a new club and a new future so I believe we should be building for the medium to longer term, not taking players on just as a stop gap. If this means languishing in the wilderness for a couple of years then so be it. We have just off loaded one of our utility backs to Wakefield so why do we need another? unless he can encourage and support our current crop of youngsters then (IMO) we don't need him. Let's start looking to the future, build a solid foundation first, then fill the gaps in afterwards.
theviking62
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11:14am Wed 10 Oct 12
flashdonut
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11:25am Wed 10 Oct 12
theviking62 wrote:Worth one year contracts? 47 minutes before this you said that Blythe would be a waste, if after 12 months he goes. You say we will be back to square one, with money wasted.
Agreed Prycey, if we sign permanent on one year contracts, it's the same inducement. Play well for a bigger contract. But, I think FC should be looking at forwards. Short up front, I keep harping on about the three from Hull, a centre, stand off/loose forward and a prop. All available, worth one year contract. Have a look at them plus the three from Wigan.
.
47 minutes later you are championing one year contracts?
raisemeup
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11:56am Wed 10 Oct 12
Use logic instead of the "I wish mentality"
Firstly Matty Blyth is a player that Warrington want to keep on the back burner, which means Tony Smith rates him. We need to re establish a team and a playing structure for 2013, because remember we are supposedly on probation for a year, which if you were a player, or a players agent would you wish to accept a one year deal, with an uncertain situation after that?
( courtesy of the RFL, and their poor attempt at fairness) So our new coach is right to accept the reality of the situation, and go for the best options whenever they present themselves.
I think no one likes the fact that a Player isn't actually contracted to your own Club, it's a bit like playing your match in a Stadium that's not your home.Which of course it isn't!
So if we are to begin the process of re-building in spite of the obstacles..Then we do it in the only way possible and feasible.
It's only in the dictionary that success comes before work.
So let's get busy, carry on buying the season tickets and welcome every signing the Club makes.
It's one step nearer our ultimate goal for next season, and beyond.
What's the saying; 'Nils Desperandum Bast....' something like that!
Videoref
says...
12:10pm Wed 10 Oct 12
If we can sign some good young talent on loan for 1 year, add in our nucleus of players on longterm contracts ie Bateman, Whitehead so far plus Gale etc if they extend then we can show a positive approach to the future. We have also recently offered contracts to a number of lads coming through the Academy and got rid of some dead wood-does all that not bode well for the future plus show some mature thinking of the (young) Head Coach & the directon he wants to take?
For my money signing Blythe is a great move-just paying his wages with no transfer fee involved, for a guy looking to prove himself in the shop window. If he wants to stay next year maybe he can-if not, we (hopefully) will be in a lot better position as a club both on the field and off it and can look at long term contracts when we can afford to pay them.
Well done for FC-keep up the good work and welcome to the club Matty
VJ Man
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12:15pm Wed 10 Oct 12
To me this is not rebuilding, which is why I don't agree with "great signing", "excellent addition", or even "chuffing great signing".
As Viking points out, there are much bigger gaps to fill, so forgive me whilst I save my over the top superlatives for when those happen.
What's the saying? "get real!".
Prycey
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12:57pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Steam Pigs
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1:06pm Wed 10 Oct 12
VJ Man wrote:from SLE website
I don't ever remember anyone saying we were on probation? just that we keep our license until the end of 2013 when it will be reassessed.
To me this is not rebuilding, which is why I don't agree with "great signing", "excellent addition", or even "chuffing great signing".
As Viking points out, there are much bigger gaps to fill, so forgive me whilst I save my over the top superlatives for when those happen.
What's the saying? "get real!".
The RFL Board of Directors has awarded a one-year probationary licence to Bradford Bulls which will allow the club to remain in a 14-team Super League for 2013.
I do believe any re-assement of the license will happen in the next round of francises not in a years time as long as OK pays the bills
theviking62
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1:37pm Wed 10 Oct 12
bradfordbronco
says...
1:56pm Wed 10 Oct 12
raisemeup
says...
4:27pm Wed 10 Oct 12
VJ Man wrote:To paraphrase your text VJ when you state: I don't ever remember anyone saying we were on probation? just that we keep our license until the end of 2013 when it will be reassessed:
I don't ever remember anyone saying we were on probation? just that we keep our license until the end of 2013 when it will be reassessed.
To me this is not rebuilding, which is why I don't agree with "great signing", "excellent addition", or even "chuffing great signing".
As Viking points out, there are much bigger gaps to fill, so forgive me whilst I save my over the top superlatives for when those happen.
What's the saying? "get real!".
You are absolutely right, 12 months probation????
And to fill those other gaps!
I would also respectfully suggest you speak to any number of Player agents and ask them to provide you with a list of top flight Players who will sign a contract for 3 years against a possibility that in 2014 those Players may be relegated to championship status.
Once you have at least 6 names, we can then discuss reality.
theviking62
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4:41pm Wed 10 Oct 12
theviking62
says...
5:07pm Wed 10 Oct 12
VJ Man
says...
6:52pm Wed 10 Oct 12
raisemeup wrote:I see you're looking on the positive side of staying in super league then!
VJ Man wrote:To paraphrase your text VJ when you state: I don't ever remember anyone saying we were on probation? just that we keep our license until the end of 2013 when it will be reassessed:
I don't ever remember anyone saying we were on probation? just that we keep our license until the end of 2013 when it will be reassessed.
To me this is not rebuilding, which is why I don't agree with "great signing", "excellent addition", or even "chuffing great signing".
As Viking points out, there are much bigger gaps to fill, so forgive me whilst I save my over the top superlatives for when those happen.
What's the saying? "get real!".
You are absolutely right, 12 months probation????
And to fill those other gaps!
I would also respectfully suggest you speak to any number of Player agents and ask them to provide you with a list of top flight Players who will sign a contract for 3 years against a possibility that in 2014 those Players may be relegated to championship status.
Once you have at least 6 names, we can then discuss reality.
Loanees should be a last resort, not the first ones you sign.
raisemeup
says...
12:38am Thu 11 Oct 12
VJ Man wrote:Not wishing to prolong this debate any longer than necessary. So can I say(finally) that there is no last resort or first choice situation at this moment. The only way Francis Cummings can look to setting his first season in Super League. Is to look at what can be afforded at this moment, and sign Super League players who have the pedigree that we require ,as his main objective! But in my opinion he is right in taking Players on loan for a season, (particulary if they have the skill set that Blyth seems to have, judging by his 30 games with Warrington and 13 tries scored) with the possible option of a contract if we come out of our probationary period allright.
raisemeup wrote:I see you're looking on the positive side of staying in super league then!
VJ Man wrote:To paraphrase your text VJ when you state: I don't ever remember anyone saying we were on probation? just that we keep our license until the end of 2013 when it will be reassessed:
I don't ever remember anyone saying we were on probation? just that we keep our license until the end of 2013 when it will be reassessed.
To me this is not rebuilding, which is why I don't agree with "great signing", "excellent addition", or even "chuffing great signing".
As Viking points out, there are much bigger gaps to fill, so forgive me whilst I save my over the top superlatives for when those happen.
What's the saying? "get real!".
You are absolutely right, 12 months probation????
And to fill those other gaps!
I would also respectfully suggest you speak to any number of Player agents and ask them to provide you with a list of top flight Players who will sign a contract for 3 years against a possibility that in 2014 those Players may be relegated to championship status.
Once you have at least 6 names, we can then discuss reality.
Loanees should be a last resort, not the first ones you sign.
I am impressed that he is a realist, in that he knows full well that very few experienced players will leave a club for less than a two year deal.
All you need to do is to put yourself in their position.(aka a Player seeking a new club) Would you take the gamble unless your circumstances were such that an uncertain future was better than no future? Franny's position being would we want that Player, in those circumstances? And can you convince me that a twelve month contract is better than a twelve month loan period, with just a transfer of wages?
What we are faced with is a catch 22 in a lot of ways. But by taking the decisions he has already taken he deserves support not criticism.
Steam Pigs
says...
9:07am Thu 11 Oct 12
theviking62 wrote:are you these players agent? You are like a broken record... repeat..... repeat..... repeat.......
The lads available, that I know of are now down to four. They are all young, have experience of super league, some more than others and in the areas we need them. Stand off/loose forward, centre, prop. I hope that the Bulls have a look. If you read some articles, on other sites, teams are now begging to look at the Championship, and lower, for players. The Rams have picked up two good young players, are they destined for the Bulls at some stage. Point I'm making is, if the Rams can do it. Why don't we?
Do you not think that FC and the rest are not scouring the market and are unaware of these players availabliy?
Trust the coaching staff, let them select who THEY want, they are the experts supposedly
theviking62
says...
10:44am Thu 11 Oct 12
Steam Pigs
says...
11:51am Thu 11 Oct 12
FC = Franny Cummins not codeds
VJ Man says...
7:41am Wed 10 Oct 12